New Derby Planner From Derby Line

October 3, 2011

By

Laura Carpenter

DERBY- The Derby Selectboard last week named a new planner to fill a vacancy. Former Planner Cynthia Adams resigned due to a conflict of meeting times.
The new member of the planning commission is Brian Fisher of Derby Line.
Fisher comes on board in the midst of the ongoing controversial issue of a proposed mini mart and gas station in Derby Line.
Bill Simendinger of Champlain Farms bought two large commercial building on Main Street in Derby Line and wants to tear them down and build a gas station and mini mart. His plan has cause controversy with many in the village including Village Trustees.
The trustees stated concerns with what they feel is a lack of representation for Derby Line on the zoning and planning boards. The village, during their annual meeting, decided to look into completely succeeding from the town and forming its own zoning and planning boards.
The idea did not go far, but Keith Beadle, the chairman of the trustees, said that he wants village residents to run for town board positions and take a more active role in town business.
After a long discussion in executive session, the selectboard had narrowed the list of five possible candidates to fill the vacancy down to two, and then finally decided on the Derby Line candidate.
The other candidates were Mark Tarbox, Maurice Boyer, Maureen Fontaine, and John Sanville.
Tarbox has been upset with Derby officials regarding VELCOâ€™s proposed telecommunications tower on Nelson Hill Road near his home. Tarbox and his wife Sharon were concerned about potential heath side effects from the tower. They wanted Derby officials to hold public hearings on the matter and to request a long-term power density study by an independent organization.
The Planning Commission tabled the issue indefinitely and the selectboard decided to ask the Public Service Board for a long-term power density study by an independent firm, but did not specify the amount of time for â€ślong-term.â€ť